Hi Rose

Thank you for your encouraging post.

I'm about to start immunotherapy, albeit a different  drug Libtayo and I'm a bit anxious to say the least about the treatment and possible side effects.

This despite the oncologist taking great care to let me know how very few patients have any serious side effects and how effective the treatment is at stopping the progression of cancer, allowing a good quality of life. It's heartening to hear positive first hand feedback from someone who is receiving this type of therapy.

I hope that you continue OK through your therapy and you get good benefit from it.

Ed

Thanks Ed

Im honestly serious when I tell you that this new immunotherapy treatment is a massive breakthrough. I did an awful lot of research and came across some fascinating information. Firstly, scientists are wondering why some people react favourably to the treatment whilst others don’t.  They are now thinking that it’s all to do with a healthy GUT. I am now eating a high fibre diet along with blueberries and seeds for breakfast.   I eat avocado and smoked salmon for lunch and in between enjoy Kefir yogurts and probiotic drinks. Eat all recommended foods that will give you healthy gut bacteria. 

 While taking immunotherapy treatment , advised to avoid OMEPRAZOLE. ( For acid reflux )  Steroids and Antibiotics      

Get your body into the best state you can,  buy organic eggs, meats, milk. , etc.,

I hope this information will give you the confidence to get yourself prepared to succeed  

Jyst remember, You are blessed to be getting this new, miraculous treatment  Jeep positive, keep healthy and keep going .

All the very best  please keep in touch.  I’m on this treatment too and I’m a happy bunny!!

My partner has melanoma and is on pembrolizumab too. He swears by eating good vegetable soup every day. Not the tinned kind. He's been on his treatment for almost 2 years. Stage 4, spread to nodes and another skin location.

I wish you good luck with the treatment x

Smart man. I’m delighted to hear he’s eating himself towards good health. We all have to make massive changes regarding our eating habits. No more rubbish. Only natural foods. I used to love packet soup but no more processed foods come into this house. It’s good to hear that the word is getting through. Good healthy gut , mictobiomes. Vital. 
please wish him all the best. Great treatment.  

My mum is 81 and has stage 4 colon cancer also in lymph nodes   She has had x2 treatments of pembrolizumab every 6 weeks and already the scan shows the cancer is shrinking in all areas. Which this is such good news.

The only thing she's struggling with is this :- she gets this swelling and hardness in the stomach 1 hour later she has vomiting we are trying to control this with lactose which stops the vomiting and it release at the other end,  please any advice would be gratefully appreciated.

My partner doesn't have any cancer involvement in his digestive system but since he started pembrolizumab he's had vomiting and digestive upset. The vomiting can be projectile at times. He was prescribed domperidone but it doesn't help much. I wish people on immunotherapy had access to the same side effects controlling prescriptions as those on chemotherapy. I hope your mum's tumours continue to shrink and you find some way of controlling the vomiting and discomfort x

Hi Rose

I had not considered how important diet is especially when receiving immunotherapy to guard against some of the side effects of treatment. Your post is invaluable. Healthy gut bacteria to help prevent colitis and diarrhoea, plenty fibre to prevent constipation. Plus to try avoid omeprazole and antibiotics I think this is to help overload of your liver which can come under attack during treatment. My Bilirubin levels are high as Ive just had a course of amoxicillin for an infection post surgery. Plus I take Naproxen for gout and Omeprazole to counteract the acid caused by the naproxen  plus paracetamol for pain relief none of which are good for your liver. I have stopped drinking alcohol to reduce the load on my liver and hopefully will soon be able to dispense with the tablets.

I agree with you how lucky I am to have been selected to receive this treatment, at great cost to the NHS, so far I have no no side effects other than fatigue.

Ed

Hi Rose

I had not considered how important diet is especially when receiving immunotherapy to guard against some of the side effects of treatment. Your post is invaluable. Healthy gut bacteria to help prevent colitis and diarrhoea, plenty fibre to prevent constipation. Plus to try avoid omeprazole and antibiotics I think this is to help overload of your liver which can come under attack during treatment. My Bilirubin levels are high as Ive just had a course of amoxicillin for an infection post surgery. Plus I take Naproxen for gout and Omeprazole to counteract the acid caused by the naproxen  plus paracetamol for pain relief none of which are good for your liver. I have stopped drinking alcohol to reduce the load on my liver and hopefully will soon be able to dispense with the tablets.

I agree with you how lucky I am to have been selected to receive this treatment, at great cost to the NHS, so far I have no no side effects other than fatigue.

Ed

Hi Ed,

Delighted to hear that you are determined to eat yourself fit!  I listened to a fantastic podcast recently Dr.Thomas Seyfried, professor of Genetics, Biochemistry and biology.  Google and read some of his reasoning for the cause of cancer. Mind blowing. We are what we eat! 

My doctor prescribed PEPTAC LIQUID ANISEED as an alternative to OMEPRAZOLE.  Excellent alternative. 

How are you feeling at the moment?  I got an infection soon after my surgery and had 2 lots of antibiotics. Seems common. 
we’ve been away on holiday for almost 3 weeks but return home tomorrow as next week is a week for my treatment. 
I’ve been quite naughty and my diet hasn’t been as good as it should be but will get everything back on track once we’re home although I’ve been eating high fibre foods and lots of fruit etc.,  

Keep in touch and best wishes. 
Grannyrose x

Hi Rose

Thank you for the recommendation for Peptac Ive just ordered some on Amazon to give it a try.

You have also lifted my spirits by saying you have been away on holiday, something Ive been trying to organize for ages only to be put off again by medical advice that I should wait a few cycles to see how I react. Ok then I'll take a holiday which I'm sure will be the best medicine of all. Hope your break away has recharged you physically and spiritually.

Ed

Hi Ed,

Im delighted to hear that you are changing your diet and eating yourself back to good health. 
My daughter loves listening to Pod Casts and since I was diagnosed with cancer she’s been doing research on my behalf. On 7/10/24 Dr Thomas Seyfried spoke Podcasts.Apple with Steven Bartlett. Dr Seyfried speaks about how eating the wrong foods is the root cause of cancer today.  No more white bread, white rice, refined sugars. Please search and listen. 

My doctor prescribed PEPTAC LIQUID ANISEED as a substitute for my OMEPRAZOLE. Excellent. Give it a try. Ask your doctor to change any medications that may interfere with your immunotherapy treatment Nobody gave me any advice , I had to research for myself    I honestly think our GP’s know very little about the treatments , side effects or anything at all. It’s so new compared to chemotherapy.   We must help one another if we can. 

My son in law has a theory about Gout. Can’t remember what it is but will update you when I hear from him. 
Look after yourself.  Lots of good fresh air, Organic food, lots of seeds, nuts and fruits. 
KEEP IN TOUCH,

Best Wishes, R

Hi Rose

Ive always eaten well, grow a lot of our veg, some soft fruit and apples. Keep backyard hens for eggs. Bake our own 50/50 bread (albeit in a breadmaker) eat lamb reared by a shepherdess we know and pork from a relative who rears pigs as a hobby. Yes I also eat sausages, fish fingers, pizza, biscuits, sugary breakfast cereals , cured meats and various takeaways and too much red meat. It is these I'm in the process of cutting out. And Ive stopped drinking beer and cider which we make in the kitchen.

I don't know what sets off gout it seems to come and go randomly around twice a year lasting around a week or so. After which I can stop taking the tablets.This bout could have been brought on by the stress of recent events. Ive not been able to pinpoint any food that may precipitate it either. 

Ill do whatever it takes so I can hang around with those I love a bit longer and an improved diet could help with that.

Best wishes for your continuing treatment next week.

Ed

Hi Ed,

Had a message back from son in law who used to suffer from gout. Yes, all the usual red nests, mushrooms etc., but he reckons that dehydration exacerbates it. Drink lots of water regularly. My husband constantly hands me a glass of water and stands over me until I’ve finished every drop!( I’ve never had gout)

We all need to drink as much water as possible. Some people swear that adding sliced lemon helps too.  Homemade cider sounds delightful but maybe it’s time to say goodbye to it. A glass of red wine is probably your best option if you’d like a treat.  Over here in Spain, we love Rioja and I’m extremely partial to bubbly but think the red wine might be better. 

Bags all packed and house gleaming. Hubby watching Ireland playing rugby against New Zealand I think. 

Cheers!

R x